Mardi Gras
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is a day of celebration before Lent begins. From New Orleans parades to king cake, celebrate with purple, green, and gold!
About Mardi Gras
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) is a day of celebration before Lent begins. From New Orleans parades to king cake, celebrate with purple, green, and gold!
History & origins
Mardi Gras is the final day of Carnival, celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and best known in New Orleans and other Louisiana communities. In New Orleans, the tradition reaches back to the city’s early French colonial period, with celebrations documented as far back as 1699, while the modern parade culture took shape in the 1800s. The Mistick Krewe of Comus staged the first parade in 1857, and Rex, the King of Carnival, debuted in 1872 and helped popularize the purple, green, and gold color scheme.
Why it matters
Mardi Gras is both a cultural centerpiece and a major driver of local tourism, hospitality, and small-business activity, especially in New Orleans. It also preserves a distinctive mix of French, Creole, and African American traditions through parades, music, king cake, and krewe-led pageantry.
How to celebrate
Attend Mardi Gras parades. Eat king cake. Wear purple, green, and gold. Listen to New Orleans music. Learn Mardi Gras history. Enjoy festive celebrations.
Facts
- Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday' in French
- New Orleans hosts the biggest celebration
- Purple represents justice, green faith, and gold power
- King cakes contain a hidden baby figurine
- Mardi Gras dates change based on Easter
Upcoming dates
- Tuesday, February 17, 2026
- Wednesday, February 17, 2027
- Thursday, February 17, 2028
- Saturday, February 17, 2029
- Sunday, February 17, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Mardi Gras in 2026?
Mardi Gras in 2026 is on February 17, 2026. It falls on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, so the date changes each year.
What does Mardi Gras mean?
Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" in French. It refers to the last day of feasting before the Christian season of Lent begins.
Who started Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
No single person started Mardi Gras in New Orleans, because the celebration grew from French colonial customs. The modern parade tradition is often traced to the Mistick Krewe of Comus, which staged the first parade in 1857.
How do you celebrate Mardi Gras?
People celebrate with parades, king cake, music, costumes, and the colors purple, green, and gold. In New Orleans, krewes also host balls and throw beads, cups, and other trinkets from floats.
Is Mardi Gras the same as Fat Tuesday?
Yes, Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday refer to the same day. Mardi Gras is the French name, while Fat Tuesday is the English translation.
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